Bulldogs captain Ben Maher may have found himself a new role with Gunnedah after Saturday’s performance against Narrabri.
Ben Maddern, who was named as Narrabri’s best, was clearing plenty of ball from the middle in the first quarter which reflected on the 6.7 (43) to 3.3 (21) scoreline in favour of the Dogs.
With Maddern causing headaches, Gunnedah coach Andrew George called on his captain.
“I put Benny Maher onto him [Maddern] as a tag and once Benny shut him down it, sort of, opened the game up,” George said.
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Gunnedah went on to kick another 19 goals in the next three quarters to Narrabri’s one and the roll-on started with Maher’s new defensive role.
George said his captain thrived in a tagging role.
“I don’t think I’ve ever put him on a tag before,” the coach said.
“He’s a guy that sees the ball, gets the ball. He’s more of an attacking player.
“He’s really good at it and I try not to take him away from that but on the weekend he was one of the guys in the middle, I gave him a role and he ran with it.”
Maher wasn’t the only Bulldog to shine on the weekend.
“Mark Barrow had a really good game playing against some of his old mates,” George said.
“He’s from Narrabri and played with them a bit. He knows a few of their players and how they play which probably helped.
“Aidan Rodstrom probably had his best game of the season so far. He’s starting to come into his own.”
Jacob Spackman and Mark Ewington were Gunnedah’s main goalscorers with Spackman kicking “about eight”.
The Bulldogs remain in second position on the ladder with three rounds remaining in the season.
Gunnedah will host their first home game in a month on Saturday when they take on Moree.
That game will be followed by a bye before a last round clash with the Inverell Saints.
